Discover Scent of Hope by USA Today bestselling author Susan May Warren in this heartfelt Christian romance spotlight. Packed with second-chance love, romantic suspense, faith-filled redemption, and rugged Alaskan wilderness, this story delivers the perfect mix of emotional depth, danger, and hope that Christian fiction fans crave. Whether you’re searching for Christian romance books with K9 heroes, childhood sweethearts reunited, or powerful messages of new beginnings in Christ, Susan May Warren’s latest is a must-read.
Meet Susan May Warren
I’m Susan May Warren, a USA Today bestselling author who splits my time between the snowy winters of Minnesota and the sunny beaches of Florida with my amazing hubby, four adult children, five grandchildren, and two wild and crazy labradoodles who think they run the show. I’ve written over 100 romantic suspense novels and founded both Novel.Academy and Sunrise Publishing because apparently I can’t sit still! When I’m not crafting stories of second chances and adventures in Alaska and Montana, you’ll find me with a good glass of wine, hosting friends, traveling to new places with a book in hand, and worshipping the Lord who makes all things possible!
Fun Fact: I’m adopted (just like my heroine in Track of Courage), which deeply influences the themes of belonging, identity, and chosen family that run through my stories. This personal connection to adoption and the search for home shows up in many of my characters’ journeys—it’s not just about finding where you fit, but discovering that sometimes the family you choose loves you exactly as you are.
About the Book: Scent of Hope (Call of the Wild Book 2)
Two broken hearts. One deadly mission. And just one avalanche dog standing between them and a killer.
Harley Tatum made a vow to never return to Copper Mountain, Alaska, where a drug dealer destroyed her family and the man she loved walked away. But when that same criminal escapes and justice calls her name, she has no choice but to face everything she buried.
Jericho Bowie remembers things differently. She left him. And he’s spent years wondering why. Now Harley needs his search-and-rescue dog, Orlando, to track a fugitive through treacherous mountain terrain–and Jericho refuses to let her go alone. Not again.
But as they push deep into the frozen wilderness, the hunter becomes the hunted. Old feelings resurface at the worst possible time, and survival depends on two people who don’t know if they can trust each other–or their own hearts.
Susan May Warren packs action and heart-pounding suspense from the rugged wilderness of Alaska into a nonstop adventure where the greatest danger might be opening your heart again.
This gripping suspense is filled with pulse-pounding action, second-chance romance, and a heroic K9 rescue dog from Alaska, sure to thrill fans of Lynette Eason, Dani Pettrey, and Natalie Walters.
Tropes & Themes
Childhood friends-to-lovers
Second-chance romance
Forced proximity
Romantic suspense with K9 hero
Themes of redemption, new hearts in Christ, surrender vs. control, belonging, and chosen family
Alaskan wilderness adventure
Release Details
Release Date: June 2, 2026
Series: Call of the Wild (Book 2)
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense / Christian Romance
Why Scent of Hope is Must-Read Christian Romantic Suspense
Susan May Warren delivers another gripping tale of faith, courage, and second chances that will keep Christian romance readers turning pages late into the night. With authentic emotional wounds, a heroic avalanche dog, and breathtaking Alaskan settings, Scent of Hope blends high-stakes romantic suspense with deep spiritual truth. Fans of Christian fiction, clean romance with heart, and stories of redemption will find encouragement that God truly gives us new hearts and restores what was lost. Perfect for readers seeking hope-filled Christian romance books that point back to God’s faithfulness.
Author Interview: Behind the Scenes
What inner struggle drives your main character(s)?
Susie: Harley Tatum returns to her small Alaskan hometown haunted by failure—she blames herself for not saving her brother from addiction before his death three years ago, and she carries the weight of her parents’ tragic plane crash. She’s driven by a desperate need to pursue justice and protect others, believing that if she can just catch the bad guys, she can somehow redeem her past failures. But when her presumed-dead brother Gabe reappears alive, having faked his death to work undercover, everything Harley believed about herself shatters. Her journey shifts from pursuing justice through her own strength to learning that true freedom comes from trusting God’s plan and accepting that she doesn’t have to carry the weight of the world alone—that surrender, not control, is the path to the life she’s been seeking.
Jericho Bowie, Harley’s childhood sweetheart, left town years ago, leaving behind Harley and his family, convinced he couldn’t protect the people he loved. He returns home believing he’s just helping his brother temporarily, but Harley’s reappearance forces him to face what he really ran from—the fear that he’s not enough to save anyone, especially the woman who has always owned his heart. His transformation comes through surrendering his need to control outcomes and accepting that God calls him to partnership, not solo heroism.
What is the heart of the romance?
Susie: The heart of this romance is the collision between two protectors who’ve spent years running from their pasts and each other. Harley and Jericho were childhood sweethearts, their love story written in secret signals—lights turned on in bedroom windows across the lake—until tragedy tore them apart. What brings them together now is a dangerous search for justice against the crime family that destroyed both their families, forcing them into proximity despite their unresolved hurt.
What stands in their way isn’t the external danger, but their shared wound: both believe they’re not enough to save the people they love. Harley fights to prove her worth through performance, while Jericho’s protective instincts push him to control every outcome. Their journey is learning to trust—not just each other, but God—and discovering that real love isn’t about being strong enough to protect someone, but vulnerable enough to need them.
This is a childhood friends-to-lovers, second-chance romance with forced proximity. It’s the story of two people who were “spark and fire” from the beginning, learning that coming home means accepting who God made them to be—together.
What do you hope readers carry with them?
Susie: I hope readers carry the truth that God offers us new hearts—not repaired versions of our broken ones, but completely new. When we’ve hardened ourselves through hurt, grief, and the weight of trying to save everyone in our own strength, God’s love can transform us. The longer we hold onto old wounds and try to earn our worth through performance, the harder our hearts become. But when we surrender and accept God’s mercy, He removes those hearts of stone and gives us hearts capable of trust, hope, and the freedom to finally come home—both to the places we’ve fled and to the people we were always meant to love.
What Bible verse encouraged you during this story?
Susie: Ezekiel 36:26 has been central to this story: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”
This verse captures the entire journey of both Harley and Jericho—two people whose hearts have turned to stone through grief, guilt, and self-protection. During a challenging season when I was wrestling with my own need to control outcomes and prove my worth, God gently reminded me through this passage that He doesn’t ask us to fix our broken hearts ourselves. He offers us something completely new.
I also leaned heavily on the reminder that the Bible says “do not fear” 365 times—once for every day of the year. God knows fear is our default, but His perfect love drives it out. When I felt afraid I couldn’t tell this story well enough, or worried about disappointing readers, I returned to this truth: God is big enough to protect us, and we don’t have to fight for ourselves. That freedom transformed not just my writing, but my faith.
About the Author
Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling author of over 100 novels with more than 1.5 million books sold. Winner of a RITA Award and multiple Christy and Carol Awards, she’s the founder of Novel.Academy and Sunrise Publishing, where she coaches writers to craft stories that matter. When she’s not creating adventures in Alaska and Montana, she’s splitting her time between Minnesota and Florida with her hubby, four kids, five grandchildren, and two labradoodles who are convinced they’re the real stars of the show.
Hosted by Kelly Jo Wilson, the Christian Romance Book Nook is your cozy, faith-filled corner of the internet for Christian romance. Kelly connects readers with uplifting stories, honest author interviews, exclusive giveaways, and the joy of knowing you’re never alone in your love for clean romance focused on Jesus.
Come join our growing community, new friends, new books, and plenty of bookish encouragement are always waiting for you!
Join the Christian Romance Book Nook Community
Want early access to Christian fiction author interviews, new releases, and exclusive book giveaways?
Do you love Alaskan romantic suspense where danger forces two guarded hearts to rely on each other and God? Megan Short’s Trapped on the Alaskan Glacier delivers exactly that — a witness on the run, a determined US Marshal, deadly terrain, and the powerful reminder to come to Jesus when weary and burdened.
In this exclusive author interview on the Christian Romance Book Nook, Megan shares the inner struggles of her heroine and hero, the “enemies to more” heart of the romance, the key message about moving from surface faith to a deep relationship with Christ, and the Matthew 11:28-29 encouragement that shaped the story and her own walk with God.
Meet Megan Short
Megan Short is an Australian author living in Melbourne. She writes inspirational romantic suspense, mostly because she’s tried writing other romance genres and someone always ended up dying! She’s a new Christian, and one of the ways God has taught her about Himself is through her writing. It’s been just four years since God dragged her to faith.
Fun Fact: Megan is a new Christian, and one of the ways God has taught her about Himself is through her writing. In fact it’s been just four years since God dragged her to faith. You can read her road to publication on her website where she published her testimony late last year.
About the Book: Trapped on the Alaskan Glacier
When her cover is blown, it’s a desperate race for survival.
Forced into hiding after witnessing a double murder by an organized-crime gang, Beth Ryder’s identity is suddenly leaked online and a kill order is placed on her head. Her survival is now in the hands of US Marshal Jake Cruz, who is determined to keep her alive. But when it becomes clear that more than one group is targeting Beth, the stakes are higher than ever. As they go on the run through dangerous Alaskan terrain with threats everywhere, Beth and Jake must outsmart their deadly enemies before they end up as collateral damage.
Tropes & Themes
Enemies to more
Protected witness in hiding
US Marshal protector
Alaskan wilderness survival
Faith journey from surface belief to deep relationship
Megan Short delivers gripping inspirational romantic suspense that keeps you turning pages while pointing readers to a deeper walk with Christ. You’ll root for Beth’s faith journey and Jake’s protective heart as danger forces them to trust God and each other. This clean, faith-filled story reminds us that Jesus offers rest for the weary and that the burden He gives is light.
Author Interview: Behind the Scenes
What inner struggle or desire drives your main character(s) at the beginning of the story? How does that shift as the story unfolds?
Megan: Both my heroine, Beth Ryder, and my hero, Jake Cruz, are filled with their own inner struggles that really get in the way of their relationship from day one. However, their main struggle is just as difficult—to keep Beth alive!
Beth is such a beautiful, selfless soul, and she first appears in my earlier novel Alaskan Police Protector. She loves people, but because of her protected witness status, she’s been forced to become someone she’s not—isolating herself and having to tamp down her natural urge to connect with others. She’s already been through a lot when the story begins.
But then she goes through so much more. Her journey is one of faith, but also just of accepting that she can trust others. Jake is naturally introverted compared with Beth, but he’s a deep thinker.
He’s been badly hurt in love, but like all tough guys he’s just pushed that hurt aside and has been getting on with it. He’s used to a certain level of control in his life, but Beth is just throwing all that out the window from the moment they meet. He has a strong faith, and his journey is more about trusting God with his own struggles.
What would you say is the heart of the romance in this story?
Megan: The heart of the romance is the same throughout my books—two people falling in love as they rely on each other and God to deliver them from mortal danger. In this story specifically, I chose an “enemies to more” trope. While Jake isn’t really an enemy because he’s protecting Beth, she certainly sees and treats him as an antagonist. That dynamic between them was so much fun to write, and I think I’m going to have to use the trope again soon
What is one takeaway you hope readers carry with them after finishing this book?
Megan: It might be a bit surprising to hear, but the key message of the story centres around Beth’s faith journey.
I had a pressing urgency to reach the Christian women who might go to church every Sunday, faithfully serve, study the bible and do their daily devotionals. But they don’t have a deep relationship with Christ.
That’s Beth. She’s doing more than going through the motions—she’s a great Sunday school teacher—but she’s missing out on that deep relationship that Jesus wants to have with her.
So often, God uses these trials and difficulties in our lives to discipline and refine us. I’ve certainly experienced that in my life. I can look back and see in hindsight all the times that God has led me to him through dark and turbulent times—even before I had accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. And he continues to do that.
What Bible verse encouraged you during your writing journey or that reflects this story’s message?
Megan: The bible passage I chose for this book was Matthew 11:28-29 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
I feel that this has to be one of the most encouraging verses in the bible. For me, at least. Using this verse really made me reflect on it deeply. I have a t-shirt with that message, and I had ordered some bible tracts and this was the message for that too.
In fact I’ve started putting that tract into every one of my author copies now. It’s very meaningful for the story, and for all Christians. In particular Matthew 11:30, which I did not include in the book continues: “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” What an encouraging reminder that journeying with Christ might require us to take up our cross daily and follow Him. But the burden is not ours alone to carry. It’s a light burden, and unlike the yoke of sin, what Jesus gave us when he died on the cross is that incredible gift of eternal life.
I try and think of this verse when I’ve packed too much in, and I’ve been neglecting my relationship with God – which happens far too often. It reminds me that our walk with Christ is with someone meek and humble.
About the Author
Megan Short is a Publishers Weekly bestselling Australian author of inspirational romantic suspense novels. She grew up in New Zealand where her favourite activity was watching bumblebees and day dreaming. A screenwriter by trade, she has writing qualifications from UCLA and has won some screenwriting awards. Megan currently lives in Melbourne and loves learning new skills and meeting new people, many of which make their way into her stories! She still spends too much time day dreaming and is a recovering chocoholic. Megan is a proud member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Omega Writers, and the Australian Romance Readers Association.
Hosted by Kelly Jo Wilson, the Christian Romance Book Nook is your cozy, faith-filled corner of the internet for Christian romance. Kelly connects readers with uplifting stories, honest author interviews, exclusive giveaways, and the joy of knowing you’re never alone in your love for clean romance focused on Jesus.
Come join our growing community, new friends, new books, and plenty of bookish encouragement are always waiting for you!
Join the Christian Romance Book Nook Community
Want early access to Christian fiction author interviews, new releases, and exclusive book giveaways?
You’ll receive:
Christian romance book updates
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🎁 The current Christian romance book giveaway is open now — subscribers always hear about giveaways first.
Craving clean romantic suspense with danger, true crime twists, wilderness survival, and second chances? Dana Mentink’s Raging Waters delivers a gripping story of a determined podcaster seeking justice, her former friend turned reluctant protector, a massive flood threat, and the powerful truth that God sees your story through to the end.
In this exclusive author interview on the Christian Romance Book Nook, Dana opens up about the burning drive for vengeance, the friends-to-enemies-to-lovers heart of the romance, and the reassurance that no failure or success can separate us from God’s secure love.
Meet Dana Mentink
Dana Mentink is a lifelong Californian and writes romantic suspense and wholesome mystery. The bear cubs are grown now (Yogi and Boo Boo) and Papa Bear is retired, but he works part time as her business associate! She pretty much never knows where she is. She is generally speaking lost if she has to get anywhere outside of her neighborhood. Friends and family know this about her so they’re not surprised when they get the “I’m lost” text!
Fun Fact: I pretty much never know where I am. I am, generally speaking, lost if I have to get anywhere outside of my neighborhood. Friends and family know this about me so they’re not surprised when they get the “I’m lost” text!
About the Book: Raging Waters
What happens when a true crime podcaster chases a dangerous lead into the wilderness and runs straight into the one person she blames most?
When Mackenzie Bardine’s brother Aaron was murdered in a drug deal gone wrong, she started a true crime podcast dedicated to exposing “Bullseye,” the drug kingpin responsible. But her protective heart has never let go of the blame she places on herself and Aaron’s best friend, Gideon Landry. On the run to the wilds of Washington to chase a recent lead, she meets none other than Gideon himself.
While conducting a wilderness survival class in remote Washington, Gideon never expected to cross paths with Mackenzie, and he’s certainly not interested in helping her after he’s already declined to participate in her vigilante podcasting. He carries a mountain of guilt about Aaron’s fatal choices, but not for the reasons Mackenzie suspects.
As killers begin to circle Mackenzie like sharks, it’s clear to Gideon she’s in over her head, and in light of his troubled past with her brother, he can’t bring himself to ignore her perilous situation. Then a flood threatens the town, turning their investigation into a race to escape the raging waters and the wrath of a powerful kingpin who wants to sink them both.
Dana Mentink delivers pulse-pounding romantic suspense full of high stakes, emotional depth, and unwavering faith. Readers will root for the determined heroine chasing justice, the burdened hero stepping in to protect her, and the powerful message that God knows your story completely and will never abandon you. This clean, uplifting Christian fiction blends danger, redemption, and hope in a way that leaves you encouraged and reminded of God’s secure love—no matter the circumstances.
Author Interview: Behind the Scenes
What inner struggle or desire drives your main character(s) at the beginning of the story? How does that shift as the story unfolds?
The heroine has a burning desire to avenge a terrible loss she experienced. She must come to terms with what her life will look like if that doesn’t happen…and what it will look like if it does.
What would you say is the heart of the romance in this story?
This is a friends to enemies to lovers story. They are bound together by their relationship with the heroine’s brother and their own sense of duty and honor. Mackenzie is willing to risk her life to make her brother’s murderer pay. Gideon can’t stand to see her throw her future away. There’s a very large dam failure looming and an extremely violent villain pitted against them.
What is one takeaway you hope readers carry with them after finishing this book?
God knows your story and He’s going to see it through. He will never abandon or forsake you.
What Bible verse encouraged you during your writing journey or that reflects this story’s message?
The one I always go back to is Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus… It reminds me that my standing in God is secure no matter what I do or if I fail or succeed.
About the Author
Dana Mentink is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of suspense and mystery. She writes for Harlequin, Sourcebooks, and Revell. A two time Carol Award winner for romantic suspense, she has been honored with a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. She shares her writing den with a husband, an aged box turtle, and her rescue dog Junie. You can learn more at Dana’s website: www.DanaMentink.com
About the Christian Romance Book Nook
Hosted by Kelly Jo Wilson, the Christian Romance Book Nook is your cozy, faith-filled corner of the internet for Christian romance. Kelly connects readers with uplifting stories, honest author interviews, exclusive giveaways, and the joy of knowing you’re never alone in your love for clean romance focused on Jesus.
Come join our growing community, new friends, new books, and plenty of bookish encouragement are always waiting for you!
Join the Christian Romance Book Nook Community
Want early access to Christian fiction author interviews, new releases, and exclusive book giveaways?
You’ll receive:
Christian romance book updates
Author spotlights
Early giveaway access
Behind-the-scenes goodies
🎁 The current Christian romance book giveaway is open now — subscribers always hear about giveaways first.
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